H1N1 Influenza: Action Plan for Schools

1
H1N1 InfluenzaAction Plan for Schools

• Presented to
• Burke County Schools Board of Education
• 24 August, 2009

2
Background The H1N1 Influenza

• New influenza detected in US in humans April
  2009
• Originally called swine flu genetically more
  evolved
• Symptoms fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose,
  body aches, headache, chills, fatigue.
• No vaccine available now late October projected

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Prevention Plan Steps to Manage Risk
Parents
A

• TEACH your children to
• Wash their hands often
• NOT to share personal items
• To cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or
  elbow/sleeve.
• Follow YOUR example!
• KNOW the signs
• Fever gt100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C)
• Sore throat cough / runny nose / body
  headaches
• KEEP sick children _at_ home
• 24 hours AFTER fever subsides without drugs
• Pick up sick children from school!

B
C
4
Prevention Plan Steps to Manage Risk
Teachers
Hand sanitizers

• TEACH your students to
• Practice good hand hygiene (warm soapy
  water,sanitizer)
• To cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or
  elbow/sleeve.
• Follow YOUR example!
• CLEAN frequently touched surfaces regularly
• Desks, doorknobs, keyboards, pens, etc. (not just
  custodian job)
• MONITOR for symptoms send sick children to Nurse

tissues
Cleaning solution
Masks
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Prevention Plan Steps to Manage Risk
Administrators

• Proactively TRAIN faculty, staff students to
• Practice good hand hygiene (warm soapy
  water,sanitizer)
• To cover coughs and sneezes with tissue or
  elbow/sleeve.
• CLEAN frequently touched surfaces regularly
• Common rooms, gym, cafeteria, etc.
• SEND sick faculty, staff students to School
  Nurse
• MOVE faculty, staff students to a separate room
  pending dismissal.
• ENCOURAGE early medical evaluation for students
  sent home, at-risk individuals

6
The Way Ahead

• Administrators communicate to Faculty Staff
• Letters home to each parent this week
• Special training by Nursing Staff
• Monitoring by Nursing Staff
• Adjust plan as guidance matures (esp. State
  level)
• Communicate3 Collaborate. COUNTY-WIDE

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Response Plan Severe Flu Outbreak
Individual Cases

• Extend home stays to SEVEN days ( 24H)
• Develop options for continuation of school work

System-Wide

• Allow high-risk faculty, staff students to stay
  home
• Active fever symptom screening upon arrival
• Increase social distances teacher rotation,
  trip postponement, athletics schedules, modified
  meal service, etc.
• Determine dismissal of school as needed (w/BCHD)